Top Ten Best Personal Emergency Water Filters

This article features the top ten personal water filtration systems found online.

Whether you are on a wilderness camping trip or faced with a sudden disaster, the first thing you want to look for is clean drinking water. Carrying around gallons of water is obviously not practical, yet not every water source is suitable for drinking. The best way of ensuring that you can access safe water to carry you through any survival situation is by always using a water filtration device. Even water that looks clean can cause serious illness. We’ve checked out some of the best portable water filters on the market to help you narrow down your options.

1. Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System

This Mini Water Filtration System by Sawyer Products includes a 16-ounce reusable squeeze pouch, cleaning plunger, and a 7-inch drinking straw. They recommend having this product when you’re doing anything outdoors. Whether you are hiking, camping, or traveling, it’s a good idea to keep this item handy. It eliminates 99.99999% of bacteria and protozoa and ensures that the water you drink will be clean and safe for you and your family. This device doesn’t take up much space; it can fit right in the palm of your hand. It only weighs two ounces, so even your smaller family members will have an easy time using it.

2. Lifestraw Personal Water Filter

The Lifestraw Personal Water Filter removes 99.999% of waterborne parasites and 99.999999% of waterborne bacteria. It brings the turbidity (which is the cloudiness of a liquid caused by particles that you can’t see) down to 0.02 microns. If properly used and cleaned, this filter is guaranteed to filtrate up to 1,000 gallons of safe, clean drinking water. Lifestraw has applied rigorous testing protocols to their products and they have been lab certified to make sure they work flawlessly. Further, when you buy from Lifestraw, the company provides a child in need with safe drinking water for a whole school year. Not only will you keep your own family safe, but you will help other kids as well.

3. Survival Filter Portable Straw For One

The folks that make the Survival Filter Portable Straw guarantee you won’t ever need to throw this product away because it contains three removable internal filter stages. The membrane ultrafilter lasts up to 26,417 gallons, the carbon filter lasts up to 264 gallons, and the cotton pre-filters last 264 gallons. One useful fact about the included cotton pre-filters is that there are five extras that come with this straw.

Easy to use, this filter straw can be used with most water bottles. However, you also have the option to drink right from a freshwater source with the straw. This is a great feature especially if there are no containers handy. This North American company has top-notch customer service and will happily replace your product if for some reason it is defective.

4. Survival Filter Water Filter For 1 or More

The Survival Filter Water Filter has been tested in the USA at multiple labs. Fully transparent, their lab reports are readily available for anyone to examine. If you are someone who needs to know exactly what your product is all about, this is the ideal filter for you. Laboratory testing shows the product has 99.999% filtration removal of bacteria, staph, parasites, and more. It also reduces heavy metals. It provides around 26,417 gallons of clean water before having to replace the filter. It’s BPA free and comes with a detachable drinking cup, how-to-use manual, travel bag, and all the internal filters and tubing.

5. Etekcity Water Filter Straw

The Etekcity Water Filter Straw has three filters. First, there is the pre-filter, then an antibacterial activated carbon filter, and finally, the fiber ultrafiltration membrane filter. With all of these combined, it claims to remove 99.99999% of bacteria like salmonella, cholera, and E. coli and 99.9999% of protozoa. It meets EPA water quality standards and will provide up to 1500 liters of clean drinking water from sources like streams or lakes. To ensure this filter will last you for years to come it includes a syringe for cleaning. Highly portable, the straw is lightweight and small which makes it ideal for bugout bags, camping, and day hiking.

6. Survival Hax Water Filter Straw

The Survival Hax Water Filter Straw eliminates contaminants and dirt from many different water sources like ponds, creeks, and even third world tap water. If your family is leaving the country, this product is guaranteed to work. It eradicates 99.9999% of parasites and bacteria, is easy to use, and the filter can connect to most standard, one-inch water bottles. The product weighs less than half a pound and is 7.5 inches long making it a breeze to pack. With your shipment, you will also receive a signaling mirror, bear whistle, and compass.

7. Renogy Water Purifier

The Renogy Water Purifier filter eliminates 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and even 99.99% of cysts. It passes EPA standards for water filters and is one of the highest quality devices on the market. The sleeve on the device is made of aircraft grade aluminum, which helps keep the product protected during harsh weather. It will pump right into any container, providing you and your family with safe and clean drinking water. It is ideal for filtering larger amounts of water and will help to keep your entire party hydrated.

8. Katadyn Vario Water Filter

When it comes to retrieving water, the Katadyn Vario Water Filter has two modes. The faster flow mode collects up to two quarts of water per minute. In longer life mode, it creates one quart per minute. The innovative dual pumping technology is fast-acting for the minimum effort you need to put in. If you want something that will produce clean water fast, this is the perfect product for you. There are two filters within the Katadyn Vario. You can use the ceramic pre-filter if you’re filtering out dirty water. If you’re filtering fresh water, you can use the glass filter. Using the appropriate filter for each situation ensures this product will last as long as possible.

9. Lifestraw Go Water Filter Bottle

The Lifestraw Go Water Filter Bottle can hold about 22-ounces. It’s a leak-proof bottle that is BPA-free and filters while you drink, making it a convenient choice for many situations. Whether you’re camping, backpacking, or find yourself in an emergency scenario, this award-winning product will protect you from dirty water. The fiber membrane filter removes bacteria and protozoa to make sure the water is pure, while the 2-stage carbon filter decreases chlorine, odor, and guarantees no aftertaste.

10. MoKo Portable Water Filter

The Moko Portable Water Filter is a lightweight filter that eliminates 99.9999% of bacteria, chlorine, heavy metal ions, and natural contaminants instantly. The coconut shell filter cleans to 0.01 microns and can turn lake water, river water, or rainwater into safe drinking water right away. The removable filter can be reused to filtrate up to 660 gallons of water before you need to replace it. The device meets the highest standard of sterilization raised by the World Health Organization.